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Abida had a fierce, independent streak even as a child and rebelled against her grandmother when she forced her into purdah at the age of 13.

Solicitor David Enright, from Howe & Co, said he was worried that given we’re now in election purdah there’s unlikely to be any action at all until a new government comes in.

"My intention would not be to stay right up until polling day because purdah will kick in and there will be other stages as well," he said.

Their purdah period comes just a day after the official announcement - just about squeaking in time for leaders to trumpet the success of the campaign on the airwaves before rules become stricter pre-election.

It is startling to think that it is only eight months since Alonso was in purdah under Lampard and Chelsea was running the risk of missing out on qualifying for the Champions League.